Liam Whitmore

Turtle trackers: Environmental DNA used to detect rare species Ethan Kessler, a doctoral student at the University of Illinois has been utilising a new scientific technique to detect the presence of rare or elusive turtle species. He and his collaborators are testing the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) in the southern Illinois river system. To catch the full […]

Sea turtles nesting earlier in SC and Southeast as climate change takes hold Leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles have started the nesting season off early. Reports indicate that at least five leatherback nests have already been laid at beaches in South Carolina – weeks early! This phenomenon is likely another sign that warmer seas and sands are becoming a more serious threat to these declining

Plastic pollution poses threat to African turtle paradise Despite conservation efforts by the oceanic island Príncipe—whose beaches provide crucial nesting sites for green, leatherback, and hawksbill turtles—sea turtles face a barrage of human-induced threats. The most prominent threat includes plastic pollution, where many turtles have been known to ingest (at all life stages) as they often mistake plastic debris for food. To catch the full

Olive Ridleys start sporadic nesting at Gahiramatha The sporadic nesting of endangered olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacae) has started at Gahiramatha beach, India. Around 20 turtles have laid eggs in the last two days at Nasi- 1 of the islands at the beach, said Forest Range Officer of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary Debashis Bhoi. Forest personnel are on high alert as more turtles will arrive

Green turtle rescued from fishing net poops out all kinds of human trash A green turtle (Chelonia mydas), off the coast of Argentina in the Atlantic, was found trapped in a ghost net by Roberto Ubieta – a fisherman. The turtle was quickly taken to a rescue centre of the San Clemente Institution where veterinarians got to work aiding the trapped turtle. However, whilst rehabilitating

Lawsuit filed to protect turtles in Mississippi, Louisiana NEW ORLEANS – Two environmental groups are suing the Trump administration, stating it has failed to protect map turtles found in Mississippi and Louisiana under the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit calls for endangered or threatened status for the Pearl River map turtle, which is found in the Pearl River watershed in Louisiana and Mississippi, and the

Diego the 100-year-old Galapagos tortoise is set for release after single-handedly saving his species by fathering 800 offspring Diego, the 100-year-old Galapagos tortoise is set for release after saving his species from extinction by fathering 800 offspring in recent years! He will be released back onto his native island of Espanola in March, the Galapagos National Parks service (PNG) said yesterday. Around 50 years ago,

Happy New Year from the Turtle Room ! Federal court stops longline fishing to protect turtles Longline fishing will not be allowed off the California coast, after a federal district court suspended permits for the fishing method. In December, the court struck down longline fishing permits that the National Marine Fisheries Service issued last spring, and ruled that the service didn’t properly analyse threats to

Estero Man Sentenced For Illegally Poaching And Transporting Wood Turtles A man from has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for illegally capturing endangered wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta). The man, known as Michael P. Ellard, was capturing these endangered turtles and transporting them across state lines into Florida in order to sell them for financial gain. Ellard illegally captured over 140 wood turtles in